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I am looking for some advice on buying/using an aluminium tower for some home repairs. The front gable wall of my house is the weather wall, the one exposed to all the storms. It needs repointing and I have been quoted £130 per square metre + scaffolding costs. Ouch! Four years ago I...

A thread for those great witty replies and put-downs throughout history. Please include even if they are more alleged than actual, as long as they are witty/funny/clever. A couple to get it started: George Bernard Shaw sent Winston Churchill two tickets for the first night of his new play...

I have been asked to look at a leaking ballcock valve in a toilet in a community building. The cost of calling in a plumber is prohibitive for the charity involved, but the cost of messing it up and then calling a plumber is punitive! So I am asking for specific advice from forum members on the...

Not a joke, unfortunately. Somebody in my house who shall remain nameless, not me, [ there are only two of us!], knocked a brand new unopened gallon tin of varnish off a dining chair onto the carpet where it burst open! [ @$%&&!!!... ] What is the best way to deal with it? Any advice? It's...

I got a text this morning claiming to be from "Testandtrace". It said: "You have been in contact with someone who has the latest variant. To order a testing kit go to XXXX", giving a website address. It must be a scam because I am not registered with any trace system. So how did they get my...

Apologies to tech gurus everywhere. This is the simple man's ( eg. me ) guide to checking if the zapper for your TV/video/security light etc etc is producing infrared ( IR ) light when you press a button. You can't see IR light with your naked eye, so try this. Aim the zapper into your mobile...

I have been asked by a friend to restore their father's Stanley No3 plane. ( A type 13, 1925 - 1928 ). They don't want a worker, but something that looks good for a keepsake. I'm glad about this because it is in rather a state and I think just making it pretty will be much easier. The handle...

I am trying to weld aluminium for the first time. I clamped two small scrap parts of aluminium in a vice after a light sanding to remove oxidation. I used pieces of ceramic tile as jaw protectors and to try and keep in some heat. I then heated an inch long part of the joint with a Dremel 2020...

I am in no doubt that I have re-invented the wheel for the bajillionth time. But if you're a newbie like me, you may find this useful. A piece of 20mm plastic tubing slit down the side, tied on with string. At the moment I store my saws hanging from hooks and those without keepers get one of...

I have recently acquired a Marples mitre jig, in the original emerald green paint. I'm in the process of cleaning it up so I can use it. ( I will be keeping the original paintwork because it has character ). The threaded rods that move the jaws have unusual size nuts. Now obviously they...

I offered to clean up and sharpen a plane for someone as a favour. What they supplied "has issues". It is a number 4 plane with "Silverline" on the lever cap. ( I am aware of its status in the world of planes! ) The iron is marked "record" and at some time in the past has been reground to a...

My other half had a text this morning claiming to be from one of the big-name mobile companies. It said that the bill could not be processed by the bank this month (what????) and instructed her to click on a link. The big clue was that we don't use that company. The link was NOT clicked on...

Help needed please. There is a horizontal element at the bottom of a copper cylinder, which needs replacing. The electrics and draining the cylinder are no problem, but the @*gg£& just will not unscrew from the tank. I have a box spanner and enough other tools. I have tried sharp taps with a...

I bought this plane cheap to experiment with different cleaning techniques. I had never heard of Spinney before seeing this. If anyone has knowledge of who made it and when, I would love to know. I suspect it was made around the early 60's. It has brass fittings and wooden handles, but there...

Among the tools I inherited recently were four saws, three tenon and one ripsaw. All were in a state but showed promise, so I had a go cleaning one up... The top saw is one of the group and is how this one looked. I thought I had sanded the handle properly, but the linseed oil and wax has...

I recently inherited some tools, including this Stanley 75. I read from reviews that it is awkward to use, but I shall try anyway! Is it possible to date this from the box label, the decal and/or the markings on the iron? Any tips gratefully received.

What is the best way to store planes? New boy here starting out, and I don't want to wreck my investment in tools through ignorance. I don't mean caring for them with oil/wax etc, but should they be flat, on their side, on end(!) ? Or what? Does storing them the wrong way eventually distort...

Hi all. I am new on this website and looking to take my diy to a new level, having recently retired. I have decided that, where possible, I would equip myself with quality old tools even if they need some work. Cheap new tools are so often junk and good new tools are often not cheap. One of...